Astros owner Jim Crane has reached an agreement in principle with the PGA Tour to take over the Houston Open Golf Tournament, with the event backed by his charitable Astros Foundation, according to sources with knowledge of the process.

Crane’s deal with the PGA Tour will be for five years, with the tournament continuing to be played at the Golf Club of Houston.

Crane, who has not been available for comment, told FOX 26 Sports earlier this month he had already secured multiple sponsors, and expected to have from 10-12 sponsors affiliated with the event.

According to sources Crane has also been successful in convincing the PGA Tour to move its Houston stop to the second week of October, rather than a potential slot in June, when the weather is much hotter.

Once his agreement with the PGA Tour is official, it is expected that Crane will have the tournament played at the Golf Club of Houston for at least two more years.

As part of his plan from the start, Crane will eventually attempt to move the tournament to Memorial Park, with the approval of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Memorial Park Conservancy.

Another of Crane's goals is to pursue a date in the spring for the tournament once he has the event established at Memorial Park and raising significant funds for charity.

Crane and his group will replace the Houston Golf Association as hosts of the tournament, which began running the Houston Open in 1946.

The HGA has been without a title sponsor since Shell chose not to extend its contract following the 2017 tournament.